A monkeypox vaccine will be offered to Irish people at high risk, the HSE has said.
It is estimated that around 6,000 people may be at heightened risk of the infection.
The HSE are now widening the vaccination process and are implementing the most recent National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) advice, which is to vaccinate people at risk before they are exposed to the virus.
RTE reports they sought the advice and guidance of clinical and ethical experts to develop a plan for the initial offer of the limited supply of vaccines currently available.
The HSE also engaged closely over the last number of weeks with the advocacy and support groups to seek their input into the plan.
They said current vaccine supplies will allow vaccination for around 10 per cent of these individuals in the first phase of the vaccine rollout.
The HSE has developed a process of prioritising people for vaccination. At this time, supplies of vaccine in Ireland and in the EU are low and limited.
Ireland, along with other EU countries is actively exploring options to increase our medium to long-term supply of vaccines.
They said current indications in relation to global supplies of vaccines the second phase of vaccine roll out in Ireland is likely to commence later this year and into next year.
To date, the HSE has been offering vaccine to those who are close contacts of cases of monkeypox following assessment by public health and these people have been contacted and invited for vaccination.
